rewed, sir."

Rutford nodded portentously.

"I feel," continued Scaife, "as I did once long ago, when I was a kid
and got hold of some curacoa at one of my father's parties."

"Just so," said the doctor.

"Same buzzing in the head, same beastly feeling, same--same old--same
old--giddiness." He closed his eyes, and his head fell heavily upon
his chest.

"It looks like concussion," said the doctor, doubtfully. "You say he
fell?" He turned to John.

"I was just outside the door," said John.

"We'll put him into the sick-room, Mr. Rutford. And in a day or two
he'll be himself again."

"Are you sure that what I--er--feared--er----?"

The doctor frowned. "The boy has had brandy, of course."

"Mrs. Puttick and Lovell gave him plenty of that," John interpolated.

"I believe you can exonerate the boy entirely," said the doctor.

John saw that Rutford seemed relieved.

"I have ordered Lovell's room to be searched. If no wine or spirits
are found, I shall be glad to believe that I have made a very
pardonable mistake."

While Scaife was being removed, Lawrence came in with his report.
Nothing alcoholic had been discovered in Lovell's room. After prayers,
which were late that night, Dirty Dick made a short speech.

"I had reason to suspect," said he, "that a gross breach of the rules
of the school had been made to-night by certain boys in this house. It
appears I was mistaken. No more will be said on the subject by me; and
I think that the less said by you, big and small, the better. Good
night."

He strode away into the private side.

Two days later, Scaife came back to No. 15. John wondered why he
stared at him so hard upon the first occasion when they happened to be
alone. Then Scaife said--

"Well, young Verney. I sha'n't forget that, if it hadn't been for you,
I should have been sacked. And I sha'n't forget either that you're not
half such a fool as you look."

John exhibited surprise.

"The way you handled the beast," continued Scaife, "was masterly. I
heard every word, though my head was bursting. I shall tell Lovell
that you saved us. Oh, Lord--didn't I give the show away?"

He never tried to read the perplexity upon the other's face, but went
away laughing. He came back with the Caterpillar half an hour later,
and the three boys sat down as usual to prepare some Livy. John was
sensible that his companions treated him not only as an equal--a new
and agreeable experience--but as